Authorities said the children were home alone and were likely asleep when the fire started in the kitchen. Their mother, Lauvina Williams, was across town at a friend's house.

The children died of smoke inhalation.

Investigators determined that a pot left unattended on a stove overheated and sparked the fire. Because the fire was accidental, Scotland County District Attorney Kristy Newton and Scotland County Sheriff Sheppard Jones said Thursday that they determined that no criminal charges would be filed against Lauvina Williams.